Blog by a Belgian Flying Photographer based in Dubai (UAE) specializing in Architectural, Travel and Aviation photography

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Pic(k) of the week 28: S T E A M G A U G E S

As a pilot, over the years I started collecting old aircraft instruments which often bring back memories of aircraft I used to fly.

It's hard to believe that aircraft manufactures started replacing the "round dial" instruments with small computer screens, over 35 years ago.

While the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 was probably the first airliner to use this type of "modern technology", also referred to as EFIS (Electronic Flight Information System), it would take about 2 decennia before the new stuff started showing up in small general aviation airplanes.

Today pretty much all new aircraft come with a full "glass cockpit"; nickname for an airplane with EFIS.

Because glass cockpits are so common, a new nickname was given to the old style of instruments: "Steam gauges". They clearly don't run on steam, but the name implies using "old technology" like steam engines in modern times.

Anyway, enough Aviation talk! Because I'm pretty much stuck photographing indoors due to the soaring Summer temperatures here in Dubai, I thought it would be an interesting project to photograph some of my "Steam gauges".

Image details:

Fujifilm X-T1 with the XF18-55 lens mounted on a MeFoto tripod

ISO 200, 40mm, 11, 10s

RAW development, including Black and White conversion using Lightroom CC

Lightroom CC Print module to export the tetraptych template

"Remember the things that do you no good in aviation; Altitude above you, runway behind you and fuel in the fuel truck"..."